Doc Antle
Bhagavan Antle | |
|---|---|
Antle at Myrtle Beach Safari in 2020 | |
| Born | Kevin Antle March 25, 1960 Salinas, California, U.S. |
| Other names | Doc Antle |
| Occupation(s) | Animal trainer, zoo operator |
| Known for | Operator of the Myrtle Beach Safari |
| Spouses | Betsy "Brami" Rodgers
(divorced)Radha Hirsch (divorced)Dawn Thurston (died) |
| Children | 4 |
| Criminal details | |
| Conviction(s) |
|
| Penalty |
|
Bhagavan Mahamayavi "Doc" Antle (born Kevin Antle; March 25, 1960), is an American animal trainer, roadside zoo operator, and felon convicted of wildlife trafficking.
Antle began raising dogs in his youth, and started operating a private zoo in 1983. Antle has worked as an animal trainer for films including Ace Ventura and Dr. Dolittle in addition to appearing as a guest on several television shows. In 2020, he was featured in the first season of Netflix true crime documentary series Tiger King. Antle was the subject of a follow-up documentary Tiger King: The Doc Antle Story released in December 2021.
Antle has faced accusations of animal cruelty throughout his career. In 2020, Antle was charged with felony wildlife trafficking after an investigation by the Attorney General of Virginia. After his conviction in 2023, he was fined $10,000 and banned from owning wildlife in Virginia for five years. In 2022, Antle was arrested and charged by the FBI for wildlife trafficking and money laundering. He pleaded guilty to the federal charges in November 2023 and faces up to ten years in prison and a fine of $250,000.
Antle has also faced public allegations of inappropriate relationships with minors at the private zoo in Buckingham County, Virginia, as well as operating a cult at the Myrtle Beach Safari location, claims that Antle denies.